SalonQP 2018 Highlights

Over three days, Britain’s leading watch magazine was brought to life through a series of curated exhibitions, live talks and exclusive parties.

As well as a host of exhibiting watch brands from illustrious international names to the most selective independent ateliers, SalonQP brought visitors face-to-face with features focusing on topics such as Adventure, Aviation, Collecting and much more.

PROGRAMME

The 10th anniversary edition of SalonQP begins with its traditional opening drinks reception in celebration of the best of contemporary watchmaking. An undoubtedly opulent occasion, it’s also the opportunity to be the first to see the launch of new brands and new watch collections. Doors open at 7pm.

If you purchase a ticket to a talk you do not need to register for free access.

11:00-11:45: Military Panerai

Join James Dowling, renowned watch expert, as he takes you on a fascinating journey through the development of the original divers’ watch, created by Panerai for the Italian Navy during World War Two.

11:30 – Wine Tasting in the Fine Watch Gallery

Armit Wines’ expert sommelier will guide you through a selection of bespoke wines, specially curated for SalonQP.

12:15-13:00: Fast Jet Time

For this scintillating session, we will be joined by none other than Red 1, aka Red Arrows Team Leader Martin Pert. A highly experienced front line pilot, Martin comes to SalonQP at the end of a momentous year for the display team, having celebrated the RAF’s 100th anniversary at events around the world. Among other things, he’ll discuss just how it is that in this age of fly-by-computer multi-million dollar warplanes, the elite pilots of the world’s military are still besotted with mechanical watches that are little changed from those worn by their WW2 forebears.

12:30 – Wine Tasting in the Bazaar Salon

In the brand new Bazaar Salon, Armit Wines’ expert sommelier will guide you through a selection of bespoke wines, specially curated for SalonQP.

13:30-14:15: On the Edge – In conversation with Pen Hadow

Explorer Pen Hadow has an unrivalled knowledge of the Arctic environment and the threats that it faces. His iconic solo trek from Canada to the North Pole has never been repeated. In this rare and exhilarating talk, he will share his mission to protect the wildlife of the North Pole’s international waters.

13:30 – Wine Tasting in the Fine Watch Gallery

Armit Wines’ expert sommelier will guide you through a selection of bespoke wines, specially curated for SalonQP.

14:30 – 14:50: Kiki McDonough in the Bazaar Salon

Kiki McDonough, jeweller to the Duchess of Cambridge will be in conversation with Kim Parker, Executive Fashion and Jewellery Director of Harper’s Bazaar, discussing her brilliant career, her love of colourful stones – a key trend for next year – and how to style them for day and night.

14:45-15:30: What Makes a Watch Fine?

Gregory Gardinetti of the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie delves into everything that makes a watch valuable. If you are interested in learning the true worth of your watch and what to look for, this discussion will arm you with all the knowledge you need.

15:30 – Wine Tasting in the Fine Watch Gallery

Armit Wines’ expert sommelier will guide you through a selection of bespoke wines, specially curated for SalonQP.

15:30 – 15:50: Jewellery Trends with William & Son in the Bazaar Salon

Nicki Sanderson, head jewellery designer at William & Son, will join Kim Parker, executive fashion and jewellery director of Harper’s Bazaar, to share her unique insights into the luxury jewellery industry – including what the current trends are and how to choose the perfect piece for you. Ideal if you’re looking for Christmas present tips!

16:00-16:45: How to Collect – Inside Vintage

Vintage experts Adrian Hailwood and Chris Youé examine the recent rise in interest for vintage Heuer, Longines, Breitling and Omega by explaining the attraction and outlining the opportunities. From budding collectors to those with a seasoned portfolio, this talk will teach everyone something new.

17:15-18:00: Designing Time

What makes good watch design (and what doesn’t)? Join TAG Heuer designer Christoph Behling and Marco Borraccino, Co-founder of Singer Reimagined in conversation with SalonQP to discover the secret to creating a horological masterpiece.

19:00-22:30: Friday Night Late at SalonQP

Visiting the exhibition and don’t want the luxury to end? Our Friday Night Late party is a rare occasion to attend a private showing of SalonQP.

This private evening provides an opportunity to experience some of the world’s greatest watch makers including Vacheron, IWC, Mont Blanc, Breguet, Panerai and Breitling.

At 8pm join us for an exclusive talk with Justin Hast, Simon de Burton & Kristian Haagen as they review the year of watch, discuss what caught the eye and take the pulse of the watch industry.

With a DJ set from Nick Grimshaw in the lounge, a free magazine gift bag, and a glamourous drinks reception, this will certainly be an evening to remember.

If you purchase a ticket to a talk you do not need to register for free access.

11:00-11:45: Fine Watches – An Audience with Roger Smith

Roger Smith OBE is one of the world’s greatest living watchmakers. In this unmissable talk, Roger will share his opinions on the state of contemporary fine watchmaking, the pressures it faces, and his hopes for the future.

11:30 – Wine Tasting in the Fine Watch Gallery

Armit Wines’ expert sommelier will guide you through a selection of bespoke wines, specially curated for SalonQP.

12:30 – Wine Tasting in the Bazaar Salon

In the brand new Bazaar Salon, Armit Wines’ expert sommelier will guide you through a selection of bespoke wines, specially curated for SalonQP.

13:30-14:15: How to Collect – The Dirty Dozen

The Dirty Dozen were produced to a War Department specification. The watches that resulted define the idea of a military watch. Sharing his insightful and invaluable ideas, Toby Sutton of Watches of Knightsbridge will explain why some are harder to find than others.

13:30 – Wine Tasting in the Fine Watch Gallery

Armit Wines’ expert sommelier will guide you through a selection of bespoke wines, specially curated for SalonQP.

14:45-15:30: On the Edge – In conversation with Inge Solheim

Inge Solheim is a polar guide, adventurer and leader. Having conducted numerous expeditions, helping people to overcome challenges of mobility and impairment, including Walking with the Wounded, this inspirational talk from Solheim will discuss adventure as a metaphor for the strategic and personal challenges we all face.

15:30 – Wine Tasting in the Fine Watch Gallery

Armit Wines’ expert sommelier will guide you through a selection of bespoke wines, specially curated for SalonQP.

SPEAKERS

James Dowling

James Dowling is the author of “The Best of Time: Rolex wristwatches”. He is a writer for watch magazines and newspapers on every continent except Antarctica.

Dowling began collecting watches over 30 years ago and began writing about them shortly afterwards. His main areas of interest are early automatic watches, Rolex in the 20th Century and the military wristwatch.

Martin Pert

Martin Pert joined the Royal Air Force in 2000. Having completed pilot training, he become an Advanced Fast-Jet flying instructor; unique in that his selection came so early in his career. After teaching combat pilots of the future, on the Hawk TMk1, for 3 years he was selected to fly the Harrier GR9.

Serving around the world on exercises and Combat Operations over Afghanistan, Martin operated the Harrier from land and the aircraft carriers HMS Illustrious and Ark Royal. Selected to join the elite Red Arrows in 2011, he served for 3 years on the Team. Martin then went on to fly the Eurofighter Typhoon, serving as a senior executive on a newly formed front-line squadron. He conducted Combat Air Operations over Iraq and Syria as well as NATO Air Policing duties in the Baltics and protected the UK’s airspace as part of Quick Reaction Alert.

In 2017 he was selected to become Red 1, the Team Leader, of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows. Martin has 4000 hours of fast-jet flying and has been operating front-line fast jet aircraft continuously for 17 years.

Inge Solheim

Inge Solheim is considered one of the world’s leading guides. He has many years of professional experience in guiding, exploring, and consulting in the most extreme environments on Earth. In 2005, he took part in Blizzard, BBC’s reconstruction of Scott’s and Amundson’s race to the South Pole.

Inge was the expedition leader for Prince Harry’s charity Walking with the Wounded. He guided the Prince and wounded soldiers to the North Pole in 2011 and to the South Pole in 2013. Millions of people saw the inspiring BBC and ITV series. Inge was producer for North Pole Ice Airport and has been head of safety and logistics on numerous nature and adventure TV productions.

Pen Hadow

As an explorer, Pen Hadow has pushed back the boundaries of what is known.

His iconic solo trek from Canada to the North Pole has never been repeated, and his leadership of scientific exploration on the Arctic Ocean is without equal.

Hadow’s mission now is to protect the wildlife of the North Pole’s international waters.

He believes exploration of the natural world has never been more relevant in human history, with the continued existence of our species now dependent on improving our understanding and management of the natural world.

Hadow continues to lead an influential non-governmental scientific and public engagement programme, Arctic Mission – an annual expedition programme in support of the international advocacy work of the 90ºNorth Unit of which he is director.

Christoph Behling

After working as a designer in Tokyo and London he started his studio in 2003 in Notting Hill, designing solar-powered boats and yachts, mobile phones and many other objects.

‘Creative energy’ is what drives Christoph; products which are alive, which move us and spark our emotions.

He is one of the most awarded designers in watchmaking, having won the GPDH eight times with his designs. He has designed products and concepts for TAG Heuer since 2004 and since 2017 he has designed products for Zenith.

Nicki Sanderson

Currently working as Head of Jewellery Design for Mayfair’s luxury go-to destination, William and Son, Nicki is responsible for developing the in-store jewellery collections as well as working on bespoke projects for their loyal clientele. A former graduate of Central St Martins, she has gained a wealth of experience within her chosen field. Having started her varied career in Hatton Garden, Nicki then worked for Elizabeth Gage as an illustrative designer and wax carver before joining William and Son over sixteen years ago, initially to design large silverware and objet d’art.

Christopher Herbert

Christopher Herbert is founder and co-director of Finest Hour – specialist purveyors of fine vintage military timepieces and collectibles.

As a keen enthusiast and collector of military watches and clocks for many years, Christopher has amassed an invaluable knowledge in order to become one of the UK’s leading experts on the subject.

This knowledge, together with Christopher’s immense passion for history, in particular World War Two, has resulted in Finest Hour rapidly earning a reputation within the watch industry for their unique expertise and experience.

Grégory Gardinetti

Grégory Gardinetti is the Historian in Watchmaking, Culture & Patrimony Manager at the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie, Geneva, Switzerland.

In 2006, he joined the internationally renowned Musée International d’Horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds (Switzerland) as an archivist specialising in the history of time measurement, a subject that quickly captured his attention. During his three years at the Museum, Grégory helped stage exhibitions, wrote texts for publication, and conducted research into the history of horology.

In early 2010, he was approached by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva to succeed its expert and historian, who was retiring. Grégory’s main responsibilities are to organise exhibitions on watchmaking around the world, lecture on themes relating to time measurement, write on watches and watchmaking, and approve the historical and scientific content of the Foundation’s website.

The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie exists to promote the culture and expertise of fine watchmaking as widely as possible.

Kristian Haagen

Kristian Haagen is a man of many trades. An avid watch collector for a number of decades, Haagen writes for many international publications and has published seven books of his own on the subject of watches. A well as being a lover of the written word, Haagen is the co-founder of the app 8past10, the combination of which means Haagen has an excellent understanding of every aspect of horological communication.

Kim Parker

Kim Parker is the executive fashion and jewellery director at Harper’s Bazaar, responsible for the jewellery content of the magazine. She has been a luxury fashion and beauty journalist for 15 years, winning awards such as the Jasmine Award for fragrance writing in the process.

She began her career at Vogue and the Evening Standard Magazine before moving to Red, where she was beauty editor for 10 years, rising to the position of executive fashion and beauty director. She joined Harper’s Bazaar in 2018.